ANNOTATION

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Fingers and Thumbs is the second book in a new series called Play can Help. This series is designed to provide a whole wealth of play ideas for children with specific needs. Other titles in the series include:

Look at it this Way: toys and activities for children with a visual impairment

FROM THE CRITICS

Maureen Duncan

In this book the author gives suggestions and directions for making numerous toys and activities designed specifically to address the development of hand skills in children with special needs. The purpose is to provide ideas and suggestions for homemade toys and activities that will aid in the development of hand skills in children with hand function difficulties. This book is designed for persons who work directly with children in educational, therapeutic, or home settings and is designed to foster the development of hand skills via the use of fun activities and toys. The intended audience includes educators, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and parents of children with special needs. This book would additionally benefit all individuals responsible for designing activities for typically developing toddlers and young children, such as early childhood educators, day care providers, and art therapists. The author has a long-standing relationship with the Kingston-upon-Thames Toy Library, and has included ideas collected through numerous sources. The book is divided into easy to read chapters targeting a specific hand skill such as buttering, and grasp and release. Each chapter begins with an overview of the skill addressed. Toys and activities within each chapter are organized according to degree of difficulty to construct, cost, and durability. A list of materials needed for construction, and clear instructions are provided. Illustrations in the form of drawings are provided for many of the items, and a list of mail order suppliers of craft supplies is included. While more comprehensive books exist that contain ideas and directions for homemade toys and activities, this book isuniquely different. Each toy and activity included in this book was specifically chosen based on its ability to develop specific hand skills.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Maureen Duncan, BA, OTD, OTR/L (Creighton Univ School of Pharmacy & Allied Health Professions)Description: In this book the author gives suggestions and directions for making numerous toys and activities designed specifically to address the development of hand skills in children with special needs. Purpose: The purpose is to provide ideas and suggestions for homemade toys and activities that will aid in the development of hand skills in children with hand function difficulties. This book is designed for persons who work directly with children in educational, therapeutic, or home settings and is designed to foster the development of hand skills via the use of fun activities and toys. Audience: The intended audience includes educators, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and parents of children with special needs. This book would additionally benefit all individuals responsible for designing activities for typically developing toddlers and young children, such as early childhood educators, day care providers, and art therapists. The author has a long-standing relationship with the Kingston-upon-Thames Toy Library, and has included ideas collected through numerous sources. Features: The book is divided into easy to read chapters targeting a specific hand skill such as buttering, and grasp and release. Each chapter begins with an overview of the skill addressed. Toys and activities within each chapter are organized according to degree of difficulty to construct, cost, and durability. A list of materials needed for construction, and clear instructions are provided. Illustrations in the form of drawings are provided for many of the items, and a list of mail order suppliers of craft supplies is included. Assessment: While more comprehensive books exist that contain ideas and directions for homemade toys and activities, this book is uniquely different. Each toy and activity included in this book was specifically chosen based on its ability to develop specific hand skills.

Booknews

Based on her founding of one of the first toy libraries for special- needs children in the UK, a retired teacher shares her recipes for making play-cum-therapy possible for such youngsters via handmade toys and toy adaptations. Includes UK resources. Lacks references and an index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

RATING

3 Stars from Doody

ACCREDITATION

Lear, Roma